Old Dreams No Return (Serena) novel Chapter 2

2

Merai

I turned to leave.

“Wait.”

He stopped me. “Take your stuff from my place too.”

He probably thought I’d be hurt by that, just like always. That my eyes would well up and I’d ask, “Liam, what the hell?” And then he’d smoothly say, “Let’s not fight,” and everything would just blow over again.

But I didn’t say anything.

I just turned around, silent, and started to systematically clear out my stuff from this house – a place I’d once known so well, practically called it my second home.

By the front door, those fuzzy bear slippers he’d specially bought with my initials; on the kitchen mug rack, the cute strawberry mug that was exclusively mine; on the living room couch, the light gray throw blanket I always used…

I picked them out one by one, calmly tossing them into another empty cardboard box, as if I were just clearing out some irrelevant trash.

Meanwhile, his little game with Tiffany started up again, a fresh round.

During a break in their game, Tiffany announced she was thirsty, then very casually picked up his half-empty water glass and took a sip.

And he, the serious germaphobe who used to cringe even at my half-finished boba tea, just glanced over and said absolutely nothing. Tiffany then pouted, saying she was hungry, craving specialty tacos from some old, far-off spot. He didn’t hesitate, immediately getting up, grabbing his car keys, and walking right out the door.

I watched it all, but my heart, strangely, didn’t ache anymore. Just a numb, icy coldness remained.

I grabbed the packed box and headed upstairs, needing to get the last few things from his room.

The moment I pushed open his bedroom door, a figure blocked my path.

It was Tiffany.

A smirk plastered her face, triumph and challenge in her eyes. “You broke up with Liam. What are you even doing here, still trying to get a reaction?” I didn’t want to get into it with her. “I’m just here to get my stuff. Make a clean break.”

“A clean break?”

She scoffed. “You think playing these mind games is going to make Liam even look your way? He’s so over your dramatics. Every time you threatened to break up, you just knew he’d come begging, didn’t you? What else can you do besides cling to him?”

“Let me tell you something. Everything you like, everything you want, I’m taking it. You copied his applications, hoping to cling to him forever, right? Well, too bad. I got into NYU too.”

I’m gonna take him from you, piece by piece, until he’s completely mine. And you’ll get a front-row seat to watch yourself lose.”

I wasn’t going to entertain her bullshit. Clutching the box, I tried to walk past her.

But she wouldn’t let up. She grabbed my arm, her words turning even nastier. “What, did I hit a nerve? Cat got your tongue? Serena, seriously, have some shame! Your clinging is just disgusting! No wonder Liam got sick of you. Looks like your parents didn’t teach you squat, raising a…”

SMACK!

The sharp sound of a slap echoed, cutting off Tiffany’s vicious rant.

I’d had enough. I lifted my hand and slapped her hard.

I could handle being messed with, but no one, no one insulted my parents! She clutched her cheek, eyes wide with disbelief. Then her face contorted with rage, and she raised her hand to hit me back! Just then, I heard the front door open downstairs, followed by footsteps.

He was home.

Tiffany’s eyes gleamed, a wicked idea already forming.

22.11

02/

< 2

She shrieked, then yanked my hand, dragging me down the stairs with her.

“Aargh!”

Menu

We both tumbled, hitting the first-floor landing with a sickening thud. My whole body screamed, every bone feeling shattered. My forehead slammed into the corner of a step, and warm blood instantly streamed down.

Tiffany had taken a nasty fall too, but she scrambled up in a flash. Before I could even move, she clutched her face, strategically exposing the bright red slap mark I’d given her. Tears welled up instantly, gushing down as she sobbed dramatically, a perfect picture of distress. “Liam… Serena… she… she just came at me and hit me, then pushed me down the stairs… I’m in so much pain…”

Liam’s eyes swept over the chaotic scene, his face hardening into a grim mask.

He strode over, his eyes first landing on Tiffany, who was sobbing hysterically. Then his gaze, colder than ice, shot to me, struggling to get back on my feet. His voice was laced with frost. “Serena! What the hell is wrong with you?! This is my house. Who gave you the right to lay a hand on my guest?!”

I bit back a gasp, fighting the searing pain and dizziness. “She insulted my parents first, that’s why I-”

“Enough!”

He didn’t even want to hear it, cutting me off sharply. His eyes were full of disappointment and impatience. “I don’t want to hear any excuses! Butler! See her out!”

The Butler looked visibly uncomfortable, but still stepped forward, gesturing for me to leave.

I watched him turn away without hesitation. He gently helped Tiffany up, then carefully cradled her to the sofa. He pulled out the first-aid kit and gently cleaned and dressed her wounds, as if she were some fragile, precious jewel.

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